Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1887-04-07
The Master Blacksmith.

You would never have imagined it
from the turn of his lips They were
a very ordinary pair indeed when in re-
pose, which, to tell the exact truth,
was not often but this morning they
were puckered up in the most comlcal
manner, wrinklng his ruddy cheeks
and giving his whole physiognomy a
distorted and distressed appear ance
painful to behold. But he was an ex-
cellent whistler. Of that there was not
the smallest doubt Clear. resonant,
trilling up and down the may lany-
riDths of two octayes with never false
note his hands in his pockets, his tat
tered straw hat thrown back on his
curly head, his sturdy feet, brown and
bare, kicking little clouds of dust III
the road which wound along the base
of stony hillside almost at a white
heat beneath the rays of the MONDAY
sun.
Suddenly the music ceased. Eyi
dently our musician had whistled him
self out OF brown study into some
sort of decision, for he stopped, pick
ed up pebble. and tossed it over the
fence with a jerk.
Yes, I'll do it. l don't like it, but
she'll meyer find it out. I'm pretty
near wore out thinkin' fore and think
in agin' and heaYin' first Que side then
t'other. But it's over with at last, and
amt glad of it though y
With quickened footsteps he now
turned to the right and assembled the
hill, entering small cottage surround
ed by we'll kept lawn, border ed By a
choice collection of annual fl Towering
plants. now in the height of their
beauty. 49,
| We'll, mother,'- a slender pala-
| faced woman who stood at an ironing
table-'I've decided. It's all right.
GadfOrd's got me. Thought itall over,
just as you said. I'll begin with him
tomorrow if he says so.'
YOU'RE sure now, my son-very sure
it's your own will and choice p replied
his mother, anxiously.
Dead sure,' returned the lad, stout
ly. 'Of course blacksmith's app'en-
tice can't put on so many airs as if he
was studyin' medicine but that amt
anything. you know is it p
'Baye you ever put on any airs.
Jerry, or have you ever desired to =
aswered the good woman, laughing.
No, no, of course not'-a little i'm
patiently. 'Bu: in the eyes of other
folks, you know, Doctor Altman
would-would sound more dignifed
like than Jerry Altman. blacksmith
wouldn't it, now p
The trade your father followed, and
the reputation She earned as a good
workman aud an honest man. return
ed the widow with paikling eyes,
sounded as we'll in the ears OF this
community as that Of DR.. Fields, who
has so kindly offered to to take you in
his office. You might make an excell-
ent physician-that remains to be pro-
ven but as blacksmith you are sure
of success from the start
ooh, yes, any one can learn that
trade retorted Jerry little bitterly,
80 much so he strove to disguise the
tone with feeble whistle.
by no means,' returned Mrs. At
man, quickly. Master blacksmiths
are rare. To shoe a horse we'll is in
itself an art. Why not begin with the
determination of becoming an artist in
iron You inherit your fathers tai
ents. Don't be ashamed of them.
Remember, my son. you need not, it
you will not, remain chained to the
forge for life.'
Jerry sprang to his feet with a shin
ing face and tossed his hat across the
room. God bless you for saying that